CREATING ACTIVE CITIES IS A WIN WIN FOR COMMUNITIES, EMPLOYERS AND GOVERNMENT
06 Jul 2023
Physical inactivity is linked to the health of cities and towns globally. Science has linked sedentary behaviour with a variety of chronic diseases, from diabetes, to heart disease, cancers and strokes. This increase see’s higher health care costs, greater absenteeism in the workplaces and lost productivity. No one wins. So many local governments are working with large employers, solution providers and planners to create more active cities.
Collaborating to create more active environments with all agencies at all levels of government can explore greater movement across the cityscape. The aim is simply to make the cities a better place to live, travel, work and play. The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) in Melbourne on 27th and 28th July, explores the importance of planning, strategy and design to create more active environments.
The NSC has been able to bring together global thought leaders with national best practice to share insights and approaches that have and can make a difference across Australia and New Zealand. The Active Cities Big Issues Keynote Session explores:
- Adopting a whole system approach to physical activity, making it easier for physical activity to be a routine part of everyday life – Prof. Rob Copeland- Director of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University (UK)
- The use of lifestyle and legacy as key drivers in planning for an active city - Scott Krueger, 2032 Gold Coast Projects Lead, Gold Coast City Council (AUS)
- Bringing a national systems approach to a neighbourhood level - Jim Ellis, Group Manager Play, Active Recreation and Sport, Sport New Zealand (NZ)
In addition, the Play Steam explores design to create environments to nurture curious and confident children, with a similar emphasis on global and national thought leaders, including:
- Robyn Monro Miller AM, Chief Executive Officer, Play Australia
- Scott Mackenzie, Play Lead, Sport New Zealand
- Aidan Burns, Play Participation Officer, Our Generation, PlayBoard (Northern Ireland)
- Fiona Robbé, Director, Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects
- Dr Amanda Lloyd, Nature Play Development Manager, Greater Sydney Parklands in conjunction with Outdoors NSWACT
Community sport and leisure facilities are often seen as the backbone of community provision and the NSC this year has been able to capture global trends through:
- Darryl Condon, Managing Principal, hcma architecture + design & IAKS Vice-President (Canada)
- Klaus Meinel, Secretary General, IAKS (Germany)
- Eyal Amit, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder, Lynxight (Israel)
NSC23 is not just an event; it's a platform for change. By exploring the power of exercise, play, recreation and participation in community sport, this convention aims to inspire and transform the way we think about physical activity, active cities and environments for all. It's a call to action to embrace curiosity, foster resilience, and create environments that empower and shape the future generation.
Join us at NSC23 on 27-28 July and experience the joy, innovation, and limitless possibilities of Active Cities. Mark your calendars and get ready to unlock the potential of exercise and recreation for a healthier and happier society.
For more information about NSC23 and to secure your spot, visit nationalsportconvention.com.au today.